Ohio Man Charged with Traveling to Have Sex with Minor

WHEELING, WV—A federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging that Patrick W. Ganim, 29, of, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, traveled across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor female, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Ganim is alleged to have used various online messaging services to communicate with a minor female residing in the Northern District of West Virginia. In October 2014, Ganim allegedly traveled across state lines from Ohio to West Virginia and engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the victim. Following their initial meeting, Ganim allegedly continued to utilize online messaging services to communicate with the minor victim, planning a subsequent meeting and sending explicit material to the victim.

Ganim is charged with:

 One count of “Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct,” for which he faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

 One count of “Using Means of Interstate Commerce to Attempt to Entice Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity,” for which he faces between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

 One count of “Transfer of Obscene Materials to a Minor,” for which he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Montoro is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Preston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bainbridge Township, Ohio Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are leading the investigation.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.